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(COLORADO SPRINGS) \u2014 A Colorado Springs teen has secured over $100,000 in scholarship funds after taking the top prize for his documentary at the All-American High School Film Festival in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 19.<\/p>\n
Youth Documentary Academy<\/a> (YDA) graduate Connor Strange won Best Documentary for his film \u201cNot All Heroes<\/a>,\u201d which delves into the filmmaker\u2019s connection to the gallantry of comic book heroes and how those ideals helped shape his perception of heroism in the absence of his biological father as a role model.<\/p>\n \u201cYour dad is your superhero. Everyone says that\u2013\u2018Oh, who is your superhero?\u2019 \u2018My dad,\u2019 you know,\u201d Strange says in his documentary. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t get that\u2026 I don\u2019t get the relationship that my friends have with their dads.\u201d<\/p>\n The documentary is a raw and emotional glimpse inside Strange\u2019s life, navigating his complicated relationship with his biological father and following along his journey to reconnect and find closure. When his father falls short of Strange\u2019s expectations, the film also shows his realization that he had heroes in his life all along\u2013his mother, his brother, his stepfather\u2013he was simply looking in the wrong place.<\/p>\n \u201cA hero is many things. A hero can run fast, a hero can fly. But a hero also encourages you to get your homework on time,\u201d Strange reflects in his film. \u201cA hero is also the one cheering your name from the stands, and supporting you even when you don\u2019t think you\u2019re doing a good job. At the end of the day, a hero is someone who shows up.\u201d<\/p>\n Strange\u2019s film ultimately took the top prize in the documentary category against nine others. He will be awarded a $134,000 scholarship along with other prizes valued at over $2,000.<\/p>\n Coming off a very successful showing at the film festival, the YDA will present the world premier of new youth films at Colorado College on Nov. 9, moderated by Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and featuring a guest appearance by Colorado Springs City Councilmember Nancy Henjum.<\/p>\n The YDA describes the films to be shown as \u201cbold works of art that will inspire, illuminate and surprise.\u201d This year\u2019s class presents films on topics ranging\u00a0from body image to black brotherhood, aging to immigration, religion to single parenthood, and much more.<\/p>\n